Government oil leak report fails to stand up to science

Scientists are challenging the optimistic scenario presented by a government oil spill report. A conclusion by National Event Command that much of the oil leak within the Gulf of Mexico had been burned, collected or vaporized has been cast into doubt by 3 scientific studies . Shrimping waters were re-opened. President Obama ate shellfish and swam in the gulf last week with his family. But a University of Georgia (UGA) study found nearly an equal amount of oil in fact remains yet to be recovered and will threaten gulf sea life for years. On the sea floor, a huge toxic oil plume was detected by University of South Florida (USF) scientists. A study published by the American Medical Association (AMA) reports the oil spill is a long-term threat to human health and gulf seafood safety.

Government oil spill report said crisis is over

Official statements released by the administration declare that the majority of the BP oil leak has been dispersed to safe levels. National Event Command, as outlined by the Wall Street Journal, said a few weeks ago that burning and skimming had removed half of the 4.9 million gallons dumped into the gulf. Another 25 percent had evaporated or dissolved. UGA scientists who have led the way in oil plume research since the spill started said up to 79 percent of the oil, also as its toxic byproducts, are nevertheless in the water. They concluded it may be years before the petrochemicals disappear. The obvious fact that oil beneath the surface can’t evaporate was pointed out by the scientists. Throughout the spill area, large oil plumes are trapped within the depths.

Deepwater canyon holds massive oil plume

The USF team concluded that further east than previously thought a large portion of the BP oil spill has settled to the bottom of the gulf. CNN reports that original findings from USF conclude that dispersants may have sent droplets of crude to the ocean floor, where it hovers near the bottom of an undersea canyon within 40 miles of the Florida Panhandle. Plankton and other organisms at the base of the food chain showed a “strong toxic response” to the crude. It is possible the oil could return to the surface. A UGA researcher told CNN that a third of the hydrocarbons within the form of methane and other gas emissions that remain in the water weren’t measured by the government.

Gulf seafood safety called into question

The safety of gulf seafood can be affected for years by the BP oil spill, according to the AMA. Within the short term, the Sacramento Bee reports that gulf shellfish will retain dangerous petrochemicals likened to cigarette smoke and soot. By consuming fish lower within the food chain, big game fish such as tuna, swordfish and mackerel will accumulate high concentrations of mercury within the long term. As time goes on, the report said doctors may be warning pregnant women and children to strictly limit the amount of gulf seafood they eat.

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Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704868604575434074237252604.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLETopStories

CNN

cnn.com/2010/US/08/17/gulf.oil.disaster/index.html?npt=NP1

Sacramento Bee

sacbee.com/2010/08/17/2963788/gulf-oil-spill-still-a-threat.html